Heartland AgricultureStreet Economics® · Florida's Heartland on a network and a lineage
Towns and cities · town

Lake Placid

the Caladium Capital of the World, as reported

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Founded
1925
Place
Lake Placid, Highlands County
District
The Ridge
Status as of 12 September 2026
Operating town, population 2,360 at the 2020 census.
Connections
8 edges, 8 distinct neighbours · betweenness 0.089 (rank 18 of 243) · location and lineage only 0.127 (rank 1) · outside share 0.00
Confidence
High · sources: [WLP] [CALH] (register)

The Atlantic Coast Line stop at Lake Stearns precedes the town, which incorporates on 1 December 1925; Melvil Dewey proposes the renaming and the Town of Lake Placid is chartered on 6 June 1927 [WLP]. Fourteen caladium farms on about 1,200 acres around the town produce 98 percent of the world's caladium bulbs, as reported [WLP].

Connections

Location and lineage

  • founded byMelvil Deweyproposes the renaming of Lake Stearns; the town is rechartered that June1927
  • grew out ofACL Haines City Branchthe ACL stop at Lake Stearns precedes the town1910s
  • tied venture or seat ofLykes Bros Incthe family's first grove and its Highlands citrus base1940s to present
  • tied venture or seat ofBates Sons & Daughtersfirst generation caladium pioneers1950s to present
  • tied venture or seat ofHappiness Farmsthe largest caladium grower in town, as reported1964 to present
  • tied venture or seat ofDuda Sodthe division's Ridge sod farmongoing
  • tied venture or seat ofLake Placid Citrus Cooperativethe town's cooperativeongoing

Events and recognition